ENGLAND’S oldest agricultural show was a veritable spectacle with a variety of everything the countryside has to offer – and so much more.
The hardworking committee and conscientious volunteers with a wealth of knowledge from – in some cases – a lifetime of involvement, ensured the 245th annual show was a weekend to remember. A weekend where old friends met and new friends made, families had the time of their lives and there really was something for everyone.
First stop for the Weardale Gazette was the Arts and Crafts marquee, not least because this is where it all starts at the crack of dawn. After a fortnight of setting up the fields, the day rapidly arrived and the Ladies team, led by the amazingly disciplined Francine Moralee, a lady with a mind and memory like a computer, presided over the hundreds of exhibits by scores of families both near and far, in scores of categories. Families arrived with car boots full of ingenious creations they had literally spent weeks building up and with Francine and her ladies aiding them, it took a few hours to set up before the judges arrived to complete the thankless task of choosing the winners.
Everything from photographs and paintings to home-baking and crafts, the sheer volume and diversity of entries was mind-boggling. Like ants, adults and children dashed about setting the scene for the visitors to witness later in the day. Over in the fur and feather tent, the scene was much the same with rabbits, cavies, hens, pigeons, guinea pigs and the like being groomed and brushed ready for the judging.
Over the other side of the large area that is Wolsingham Show, farmers were echoing the grooming and care of their cattle, sheep, pigs and goats. The result of months of bringing new life into the farmyard was reaching its pinnacle with everyone looking for that red rosette at the end of the day. Hundreds of horses of all breeds, from miniature Shetlands to the giants of the equine world, the heavy horses, were all enjoying the feel of the curry combs and brushes.
Meanwhile over 300 trade stands across the artisan food market, shopping marquee, Upcycled and Home-made tent and the wider showground were all being prepared with their owners hoping for a successful day. Charity stalls too, including our own Weardale hero, Kevin Roddam from Rookhope, raising money to find yet another humanitarian trip to the Ukraine, were ready and waiting for the thousands of visitors to arrive. These also included the amazing success story that is Cornerstone, the homeless charity founded by Steve Vasey.
There was a dizzying choice of hot food vans as well as the delicious cuisine of the Ramside Catering marquee where County Councillor Anita Savory had held the eagerly awaited Ladies Day event on Friday. Scores of ladies from around the area fought for tickets to this wonderful day of entertainment in aid of the Weardale Community Hospital. It was the talk of the Dale and greatly enjoyed by everyone.
And so, President, Gordon Pybourne, Chairman, R Lawson and P Harwood, the Secretary that everything rests on, waited with bated breath, hoping that this year would be a good one, that the sun would shine and everyone would have an enjoyable time. They need not have worried…
The Saturday – and Sunday – were glorious days, the children had so much to choose from there didn’t seem enough time to even see it all, never mind experience it. And a special mention must go to ‘I Pee portable toilets’ – the staff never stopped all weekend ensuring that going for a pee was not the usual trial. Every loo was clean, tidy and sweet smelling with plenty of loo roll and hand sanitiser. Well done to the I Pee crew!
Houghall College in Durham set up a superb tent with all manner of activities for youngsters, including a very high pole to climb! The dads and grandads enjoyed betting on the very popularly and eagerly awaited Sulky Racing – and some of the mams and grandmas too! The cookery demonstrations went down a bomb in the food tents; vintage cars, tractors, motorbikes, wagons and the remote control miniature plant as well as the vintage caravans all experienced large and interested crowds.
The Rural Sports marquee included people passionate about their area of this subject – from deer to red squirrels, shooting and hunting – all totally dedicated to the preservation of the countryside and every thing and living animal it includes.
The equine classes numbered scores with everything from carriage driving to show jumping which matched the constant weekend-long run of dog classes including one of the largest KC dog show in the country. There was live music at both ends of the showground with visitors even taking to dancing on the grass! There were strongmen and sheep dogs, giant tortoises and even metal recycling in the main arena.
Of course, like every year, there were some familiar faces missing and this year John ‘Tiger’ Hodgson was one of them. John, a well-known local farmer and former Chairman of the show, missed this one for the first time in 80 years due to a hospital stay. And he was missed!
The array and amount of things to see and do over the whole weekend was mind-boggling and very difficult to pay justice to in a single article and there does not seem an appropriate, single word to describe the phenomenal work and dedication that goes into the show by unpaid volunteers. And, I am quite sure, that this article has missed out so much more that was on offer. Apologies!
All that is left to say is a massive thanks to you all – it really was one helluva show.
